﻿Boutique owner Lexi Oliveri has shared her mothers affinity for vintage clothing ever since she can remember. Lexi’s love for vintage clothing eventually lead her to open Antoinette Brooklyn in 2011, and filled the boutique with vintage clothing her mother had collected over the years, from several different eras.

Located in the hip Williamsburg area, Antoinette has expanded its collection of clothing, and now carries contemporary pieces, as well as local New York City designers!

﻿﻿So what exactly constitutes an article of clothing as vintage? Well, I interviewed Lexi to gain a better insight into the world of vintage fashion and why it is so important to her…﻿﻿What makes an item of clothing vintage?﻿For an item to be considered vintage it must be a well-made product that is 20+ years old. Prior to the 90's a majority of clothing and accessories were made here in the USA. These pieces were made with integrity, and would last after years of wearing and washing them. Currently many fast fashion brands have their products assembled overseas, which affects the quality of the clothing. Therefore not every item made today will become vintage in 20 years.

What attracts you to vintage clothing? According to Lexi, it started with her mother collecting clothes from various decades... She said her mother was never able to part with anything because she considered the clothes that she owned to be a piece of art. Lexi also loves to know the story behind vintage pieces... She is intrigued by who wore it, and what the women were doing and saying when they were wearing that specific piece.

Lexi often gravitates to clothing that remind her of her mother in the 80's. She says finding a unique vintage piece "feels like winning lottery". When you wear something that is vintage, you know that it has been made with integrity- it is a unique piece of art with a history behind it. Its value also lies in the quality of the product, since it is often difficult to find contemporary pieces that are well-made and have not been quickly assembled overseas.

For those of us who have never worn vintage before, what are some ways to start experimenting with different pieces?

One of the best ways to start experimenting is by mixing vintage jewelry with contemporary clothing. You can also try pairing high-waisted vintage jeans with a modern crop top from Zara or H&M. Another great look would be a cute 70's top with a contemporary skirt!

What are some of your go-to vintage items that you think everyone should have as part of their wardrobe?

A great denim jacket from GAP or Levi's! Also, a black sheath dress paired with heels. Vintage rompers are great too because they were well-made and fit the body properly.